83 CB550SC Charging Problems

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waylander · #1 Unread post by **waylander** » Thu Aug 27, 2009 2:17 pm

OK, I am at the end of my rope with this thing!
I have an 83 CB550SC (that I can't get enough of) and have some charging issues.

I can only generate 13.2 volts no matter how high I hold the revs. At 1000 rpm I get 12.3 volts, at 2500 plus I build to 13.2 and that's it.

I have a new battery this spring so I am pretty sure that's not the problem. I have replaced both the regulator and the stator coil and still get the same results when testing. I have checked all of the connections and made sure they are clean. I can see no breaks in any of the wires or cables and there is no corrosion evident to suggest a faulty ground.

I now am at the point where I got NUTHIN!

Ideas? Suggestions??

I still ride this bike on almost a daily basis, just plug it in to the charger overnight and away i go. Never had a problem on the road and it starts and runs quite nicely but I would love to take a two or three day trip and just can't if it won't charge while I am riding.

I really don't want to take this bike in to a shop for them to figure out. I mean, I would rather fix this myself and learn a little more about the mechanics of motorcycles so I can do ALL of my own work in the future, but...

Tx for any and all help.

Waylander

coffee_brake · Fri Aug 28, 2009 3:40 am

Don't know much about your particular bike, but normally the Clymers manual will have instructions on how to test each individual component in the charging system.

Wish I could offer more...but all I know to do is follow the testing instructions in the Clymers....

Johnj · #3 Unread post by **Johnj** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 3:45 am

It is possible that your wiring harness is shot. Are there any plug-in connectors in the charging circuit?

waylander · #4 Unread post by **waylander** » Fri Aug 28, 2009 4:25 pm

There are connectors within this circut. One line from the stator coil to the rectifier and the out from the rectifier to the battery and ignition circut. As I have swapped out the rectifier and the stator, is the next logical step is to replace the wiring harness to the rest of the system? That is everything after the rectifier? Is there any way to test the harness without tearing the bike apart?

I have done all of the tests in the clymer and everything falls within spec so...

Anyway tx for that so far.

Waylander

mydlyfkryzis · Sat Aug 29, 2009 6:44 am

Not being funny, but is your voltmeter reading correctly?

I have spent some time running down a problem, only to discover my meter was erroneous. It can drive you nuts.

On another note, a new replacement part that is defective can also have you going in circles.

Here's a site that may help:

http://www.dansmc.com/electricaltesting.htm

Johnj · #6 Unread post by **Johnj** » Sat Aug 29, 2009 8:15 am

waylander wrote: Is there any way to test the harness without tearing the bike apart?

Sure...use the ohm meter to check from one end of a wire to the other end, should be 0 ohms.